Barclays Bank has told IT staff that it needs to shed about 60 jobs
to make its technology services department more efficient.
Rob JonesIn January, IT staff were warned in a letter that all sections
of the department would be affected, according to a report in
Computer Weekly's sister publication, Business and Technology.
The bank would not disclose a figure, but said where possible
staff would be placed in other positions, helped to find a job
outside the company, or offered voluntary redundancy. Once these
measures have been taken, about 60 people will be made redundant,
although the bank stressed a final figure had not been set.
A spokeswoman admitted that the bank was in discussions with the
bank workers union Unifi to thrash out an acceptable plan.
"The whole structure of technology services is being reorganised
and redesigned. Everyone's role is being reviewed to see how it
will fit in," she said.
Last August, the bank said it wanted to implement a single IT
system to run all its business divisions after admitting its IT
costs were significantly higher than those of its competitors. At
the time, the bank acknowledged that once underway, it would result
in job losses.
Barclays insisted it must streamline operations and become more
efficient if it is to fight off competition from traditional rivals
and new entrants into the market.
A Unifi spokesman said the union was satisfied with the progress
of negotiations.